Longitudinal Evaluation of Oral Health Among Orthodontic Patients Prior Treatment, During Treatment and Post-Treatment

Aim: to evaluate oral health status among orthodontic patients: before, during, post treatment completion. Subjects & methods: Twenty-eight patients were selected from Outpatient clinics seeking Orthodontic treatment, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. A self-administrated questionnaire was prepared covering oral hygiene practice, oral hygiene cleaning aids and previous oral prophylaxis. Oral health status of each patient was assessed using: Gingival bleeding index (GBI), Plaque index (PI), Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) which performed for each patient 3; prior to, during and after orthodontic treatment termination. Measurement of probing pocket depth (PPD) and radiographic examination were done before treatment and 3 months following treatment termination. Results: No significant difference was observed between mean PI & GBI recorded before orthodontic treatment(T1) and that measured three months (T4) following treatment completion but there were significant differences between these measurements during treatment with both before and after treatment; no significant difference between males and females. PPD recorded no differences between any evaluation times. OHI-S recorded higher scores during treatment period with statistically significant difference when compared with recorded scores initially; however, it did not differ significantly with that of at after 3 from orthodontic termination. Conclusion: Dental plaque accumulation among orthodontic patients can aid in development of gingival and dental effects, as it seems likely that orthodontic appliances have potentiality to increase oral microbial population. Orthodontic patients should be monitored and motivated for proper oral hygiene to avoid risk of new caries and periodontal diseases.